GALVA, Ill. – The Galva School District received statewide recognition on Wednesday when the Illinois State Board of Education presented the district with a Purple Star School Award. The honor highlights the district’s commitment to honoring the nation’s veterans and building meaningful connections between students and service members in the community.
Veteran’s Day Legacy Project shines
Each year the district’s “K‑Kids” program creates a tribute wall called the Veteran’s Day Legacy Project. Teacher and program advisor Emily Dulla explained that the display has grown dramatically over the past several years. “The project you see now is not nearly what it was a few years ago,” Dulla said. “It was just little bricks taped to a wall, so now we have this large display and it’s really come together to be something amazing.”
The new Purple Star School Award is part of a statewide initiative launched this year to recognize schools that actively honor veterans and foster community ties. Twenty‑eight schools across Illinois earned the designation, with several other Quad City area schools also receiving the award.
Community impact
Local veterans and their families attended the assembly, sharing stories and expressing gratitude for the students’ efforts. The tribute wall, featuring photos, memorabilia, and handwritten thank‑you notes, serves as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made by service members and the importance of remembering them in everyday life.
District officials noted that the award aligns with the school’s broader mission to instill respect, gratitude, and civic responsibility in its students. “Recognizing our veterans is a core value of our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Jensen. “This award validates the hard work of our teachers, students, and volunteers who keep the legacy alive year after year.”
Looking ahead
Building on the success of the Veteran’s Day Legacy Project, the district plans to expand veteran‑related programming throughout the school year, including guest speakers, field trips to local memorials, and service‑learning projects that support veteran organizations.
For parents and community members who wish to get involved, the district encourages donations of letters, photographs, and other memorabilia that can be added to the tribute wall. “Our goal is to make this a living tribute that grows with each generation,” Dulla added.
The Purple Star School Award not only celebrates Galva’s dedication to honoring those who served but also sets a benchmark for other schools seeking to strengthen the bond between education and patriotic service.
Original reporting: KWQC TV6 Davenport (local) — read the source article.
